Minidrone Competitions

Get an introduction to Model-Based Design while challenging your peers. You’ll design a line follower algorithm using Simulink and learn how to model, simulate, and fly a minidrone.

Read the competition rules and guidelines

Competitions Around the World

Competition Name Format Venue Application Deadline Simulation Submission Deadline
India 2025 In person TiHAN - Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Kandi, Sangareddy, Telangana - 502284 July 30, 2025
1:00 p.m. EDT		 August 14, 2025
Europe 2025 In person MathWorks office, United Kingdom October 1, 2025
1:00 p.m. EDT		 October 12, 2025
Global Drone Virtual Competition 2026 Virtual This virtual competition is open to students from degree-granting institutes/universities worldwide. February 20, 2026
1:00 p.m. EDT		 March 6, 2026
IFAC 2026 In person BEXCO, Busan, Republic of Korea May 25, 2026
1:00 p.m. EDT		 June 25, 2026

Past Winners

Winning teams are crowned by developing the fastest and most consistent minidrone line follower algorithms.

Mexico 2024

  • April 25, 2024
    ITAM, Mexico
  • Winner: Team Nokstella, Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México
  • First runner-up: Team LadyBug, CETYS University, Mexico
  • Second runner-up: Team Aeroitam, Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México

ICAR 2023

  • December 5, 2023
    Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi
  • Winner: Team AutoDR1, Abu Dhabi University
  • First runner-up: Team Eyeliner, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
  • Second runner-up: Team Breeze, Khalifa University

EMEA 2023

  • October 27, 2023
    Virtual
  • Winner: Team QKH, ENSMA
  • First runner-up: Team Mambonauts, TXT Group
  • Second runner-up: Team Orville, Oxford University
View more past winners